UX/UI
UX/UI
UX/UI
User Research
User Research
User Research
Mobile Design
Mobile Design
Mobile Design
MixMaster
MixMaster
Imagine a production studio filled with countless sliders, buttons, and knobs—an intimidating setup for anyone. Mixmaster simplifies this complexity by blending gaming and learning, making music production accessible and enjoyable.
Imagine a production studio filled with countless sliders, buttons, and knobs—an intimidating setup for anyone. Mixmaster simplifies this complexity by blending gaming and learning, making music production accessible and enjoyable.
Service
Service
UX Design
UX Design
Tools Used
Tools Used
Figma, Notion
Figma, Notion
Completion Timeline
Completion Timeline
6 weeks
6 weeks
Seamlessly integrating a purchasing experience into a music mobile app
Seamlessly integrating a purchasing experience into a music mobile app
Overview
Overview
During my UX program, we had the unique opportunity to collaborate with real-world stakeholders, who challenged us to address their business needs through innovative design solutions. One of the standout projects was with MixMaster. This hands-on collaboration allowed us to apply UX principles to solve real problems, ensuring our designs were both user-centered and aligned with business goals.
During my UX program, we had the unique opportunity to collaborate with real-world stakeholders, who challenged us to address their business needs through innovative design solutions. One of the standout projects was with MixMaster. This hands-on collaboration allowed us to apply UX principles to solve real problems, ensuring our designs were both user-centered and aligned with business goals.
Before After
Before After
Before After
What's the problem?
What's the problem?
Mixmaster, a mobile app that helps users learn music production through gaming, was struggling with their revenue model, with no revenue model in place, the app isn’t generating any income. Sonically challenged our team to turn things around by creating in-app purchases that incentivizes users to buy and play, creating a way to earn revenue while keeping users excited to play and learn.
Mixmaster, a mobile app that helps users learn music production through gaming, was struggling with their revenue model, with no revenue model in place, the app isn’t generating any income. Sonically challenged our team to turn things around by creating in-app purchases that incentivizes users to buy and play, creating a way to earn revenue while keeping users excited to play and learn.
Doing the research
Doing the research
Understanding the product
Understanding the product
We familiarized ourselves with the product by creating a competitive analysis with similar games on the market, ranging from music lessons to rhythm games.
We familiarized ourselves with the product by creating a competitive analysis with similar games on the market, ranging from music lessons to rhythm games.
Understanding our players
We conducted user surveys, journey maps and user testings to learn more about who the players were, what they like and dislike in games, lessons & purchases.
We conducted user surveys, journey maps and user testings to learn more about who the players were, what they like and dislike in games, lessons & purchases.
Using the survery responses, we took key elements/features in what makes players want to buy, learn and play. We were particularly interested in the overlaps in features because it gave us a good baseline of things we should consider for MixMaster’s potential store.
Using the survery responses, we took key elements/features in what makes players want to buy, learn and play. We were particularly interested in the overlaps in features because it gave us a good baseline of things we should consider for MixMaster’s potential store.
Key user needs
Key user needs
Fun to play
Sense of progression
Easy to understand
Our findings
Our findings
Our findings
Affordance
Players often find themselves struggling to navigate the app, spending too much time mis-clicking and relying on trial-and-error to understand its mechanics.
Affordance
Players often find themselves struggling to navigate the app, spending too much time mis-clicking and relying on trial-and-error to understand its mechanics.
Fatigue and Frustration
The steep learning curve and lack of clarity in gameplay mechanics leaves them feeling frustrated and fatigued before they can fully enjoy the game.
Fatigue and Frustration
The steep learning curve and lack of clarity in gameplay mechanics leaves them feeling frustrated and fatigued before they can fully enjoy the game.
Engagement and Progression
For those who persist, the absence of engaging progression and game sense leads to boredom after a few rounds, making it difficult to keep players motivated and invested in the experience.
Engagement and Progression
For those who persist, the absence of engaging progression and game sense leads to boredom after a few rounds, making it difficult to keep players motivated and invested in the experience.
Piecing it together
Piecing it together
Users are dropping off before they can fully enjoy the game, ultimately affecting the purchasing experience. We then had to update our problem statement
How might we incentivize users to buy and play?
How might we motivate players to explore and interact with in-game content, increasing their interest in making purchases?
Ideation
Ideation
Our team came up with 3 ideas:
Updating user flow
Premium game modes
Reward system + login bonuses
Updating user flow
Premium game modes
Reward system + login bonuses
Updating user flow
Premium game modes
Reward system + login bonuses
Flow updates
We mapped the first user flow to understand how users feel when interacting with the application and then created an alternative flow was open-ended.
We then each proposed our own write frames. Each wireframe exemplify our own solution proposition, prioritizing user-centric considerations and aiming for seamless objective attainment by streamlining unnecessary steps.
We then each proposed our own write frames. Each wireframe exemplify our own solution proposition, prioritizing user-centric considerations and aiming for seamless objective attainment by streamlining unnecessary steps.
Solution
Solution
Our team mapped out what the full user experience would be like. The red makers indicated the purchasing experience.
Hifidelity Mockups
Hifidelity Mockups
We present our graphic and user interface concepts that adhere to the highest standards of ergonomics and visual design, with the goal of enhancing the overall user experience.
We present our graphic and user interface concepts that adhere to the highest standards of ergonomics and visual design, with the goal of enhancing the overall user experience.
TUTORIAL PAGES
TUTORIAL PAGES
TUTORIAL PAGES
STORE & UPGRADES
STORE & UPGRADES
STORE & UPGRADES
PREMIUM GO
PREMIUM GO
PREMIUM GO
Usability Testing
Usability Testing
We compared our final designs with the initial through AB testing, these were the results:
increase in task completion rates
reduced average time
What this means:
more affordability
more interaction with in-game content
Reflections
Reflections
This was my first time working with such a talented team of designers. It was an eye opening experience working with real time clients with their own vision and business goals. A lot of our challenges as a team came from time management and availibility due to our different timezones and limited class time. If I had more time and resources I would love to add on more gaming incentives such as events, songs and skin bundle packs. This project taught me a lot about the process of launching products and mobile apps, as well as the importance of project management and open communication with your team and client.
This was my first time working with such a talented team of designers. It was an eye opening experience working with real time clients with their own vision and business goals. A lot of our challenges as a team came from time management and availibility due to our different timezones and limited class time. If I had more time and resources I would love to add on more gaming incentives such as events, songs and skin bundle packs. This project taught me a lot about the process of launching products and mobile apps, as well as the importance of project management and open communication with your team and client.
MixMaster
2024
Portfolio
MixMaster
2024
Portfolio
MixMaster
2024
Portfolio
SkinSense
2024
Portfolio
SkinSense
2024
Portfolio
SkinSense
2024
Portfolio
Pokedoro
2024
Portfolio
Pokedoro
2024
Portfolio
Pokedoro
2024
Portfolio
Kathy Dang
UX & Product Designer
Let’s work together
© 2025. Designed by Kathy Dang
Kathy Dang
UX & Product Designer
Let’s work together
© 2025. Designed by Kathy Dang
Kathy Dang
UX & Product Designer
Let’s work together
© 2025. Designed by Kathy Dang
